What makes the Johnny Cash version of Hurt sadder to me is that it brings to mind an old man who's life is slowly decaying and he's reflecting on pain and wasted time (It helps that this was one of Cash's last songs), and the simple delivery of just a guitar and his voice just makes his pain feel a lot more real than NIN's version, which just seems a little too surreal to express it as well. But I do give all credit to Trent Reznor for writing and coming up with the song. And I do like the original, it's just not as sad to me.
But music is subjective, so that's just my opinion. :D
But music is subjective, so that's just my opinion. :D